Chapter 684: Chapter 686: Recognizing a Goddaughter

Ning Yuchen feared that delays would bring complications, so he didn’t dare to postpone any longer. After a full day of screening, he finally settled on a candidate.

This time, he went to Lady Yao, overjoyed. "Prefect Yin might be a bit older, but there’s one good thing about him: he still has no legitimate son, not even one from a concubine."

Lady Yao just sat there, shedding tears, twisting a handkerchief around her fingers.

"Don’t be so quick to refuse. Let me finish." Ning Yuchen averted his gaze, not letting himself soften. "This Prefect Yin is no ordinary person. You must have heard about the marriage that’s been the talk of the town recently! The one Marquis Cheng’en was granted is Prefect Yin’s second daughter.

Think about it. He’s related to the Empress by marriage. The Central Palace has two Princes. If you play your cards right in the future, you’ll definitely be part of the royal family.

If you can give him a son or a daughter, your future will surely be comfortable."

Lady Yao said, "How could a village woman like me ever catch the eye of such a noble person? Brother Ning, I know you’re only thinking of my best interests, but I’d rather stay by your side. I’m willing to be your servant or maid."

"Silly girl, Brother Ning is not as great as you think. Look at me, I have no connections. Even if I manage to secure an external post, at best I’ll be a petty official in some remote, impoverished backwater. Who knows how many years it would take to climb up from there.

My foundations are shallow. If I offend the wrong person, I could disappear from officialdom without a trace.

Here’s what I’m thinking: I’ll have my mother adopt you as a goddaughter. That way, you’ll be considered the daughter of an official family. If we handle this well, you’re guaranteed to enter the household as a favored concubine.

From then on, we can watch over and help each other as brother and sister. We’ll make a good life for ourselves eventually."

Lady Yao was moved. The prospect of becoming the daughter of an official family and a favored concubine was too appealing.

’If Ning Yuchen’s career takes off, my status will rise along with his. It’s not an entirely bad idea.’

"But..."

"Lady Yao," Ning Yuchen said, grasping her hand. "I won’t harm you.

Right now, you can only do well if I do well. And if you do well, I can do well too."

Lady Yao understood. She had no right to choose. Ning Yuchen wouldn’t accept her because he wanted to use her to gain more.

"Alright. For Brother Ning’s sake," Lady Yao said, her eyes fixed on Ning Yuchen, full of deep affection.

Ning Yuchen squeezed her hand. "Brother Ning will be your support from now on. The Ning Family will be your maternal family too."

「The next day」

The Ning Family held an adoption ceremony. Not only did they invite a few of Ning Yuchen’s colleagues, but they also invited all their neighbors to join the lively event.

This time, his plan was even more thorough. It was the same trick, but executed flawlessly.

Just three days later, Prefect Yin sent a matchmaker to their door to propose marriage, seeking to take the Ning Family’s goddaughter as a favored concubine.

Ning Yuchen’s external appointment came down quickly as well: Sixth-rank Assistant Magistrate of He Xi County in Yi Province.

Through his family’s connections, He Nan became the Deputy of Dao City, a promotion straight to Standard Fifth Rank.

Several other Capital City officials also received external appointments, but while some were joyful, others were dejected.

Ning Yuchen was very dissatisfied with his assigned post. Not only was it remote, but it was an impoverished backwater. Moving there meant trading one hard life for another.

Prefect Yin had clearly promised to help put in a good word for him. His rank had been promoted, but the assigned location was truly terrible.

Now that the matter was settled, pleading his case wouldn’t change anything.

He cursed silently, packed his family’s belongings, and set off with an escort team.

Lady Yao, who had now become Aunt Yao, came to see him off before he left.

"Brother, the journey is long. Please take care of yourself." With maids and old servants from the Yin Mansion behind her, she could only speak in formalities.

Ning Yuchen replied, "Who knows when we will meet again after I leave. The same goes for you, Lady Yao. If anything comes up, just write to me. I’ll help in any way I can.

Come over there with me. I have a few more things to say."

Ning Yuchen pointed to the entrance of the main hall. It was some distance away, but still within sight of the maids and servants, giving them no reason to follow.

Lady Yao turned back to her attendants. "Wait here. I’ll be back after a few words with my brother."

The maids and servants had to maintain appearances in public, so they stood aside. Fuli stood by as well.

The two of them walked to the front of the main hall. "What’s going on? Weren’t you supposed to help me secure a better position?"

Lady Yao gave a bitter smile. "The day I entered the mansion, the master stayed in my room for a short while, but he’s been with the Madam ever since. Even if I wanted to put in a good word for you, I can’t find him.

You can see for yourself. The maids and servants with me were all sent by the Madam. I can’t order them around at all.

I had to specially beg the Madam just to be allowed to leave the mansion today."

Ning Yuchen asked, "How could this be? Didn’t Mr. Yin say he would treat you well?"

Lady Yao smiled bitterly. "I am a remarried widow who entered the mansion under such circumstances. I can only rely on slow, careful planning for the future.

Fortunately, you’ve been promoted to a Sixth-rank Official, so I have a little bit of confidence now.

But don’t worry. As soon as I find an opportunity, I’ll definitely try to help you."

Ning Yuchen said, "I suppose this is the only way for now. At the Yin Mansion, remember to get on good terms with the second daughter. She’s the future Marchioness. If you can establish a connection with Marquis Zhou, he would be the greatest support you could ask for."

"I can’t interfere in the mansion’s affairs at all. The Madam is probably on guard against me. She only allows me to stay in my small courtyard. I haven’t even seen the second young miss yet." Lady Yao gave a bitter smile. This life in the rear courtyards was completely different from what she had imagined.

A concubine like her, with no background, could only survive by trying her best to please the primary wife.

Even the maids and servants who followed her out today were just for show. Once she returned, she would have to do many things in her own courtyard herself.

And in the few days since she had arrived, everyone in the mansion could see she wasn’t favored. So while they didn’t treat her harshly, there was very little respect in their eyes.

Ning Yuchen sighed. "It’s all because I’m a useless brother. I can’t back you up.

Don’t worry. I will work hard to climb the ladder and become your support in the future."

Lady Yao said, "...If I get the chance, I’ll help you too, Brother Ning.

But I imagine He Xi County in Yi Province should be decent. Wasn’t that Mr. Gu also there?

You passed the exams in the same year and spent so long together in the Hanlin Academy. Your relationship should be quite good. With him there to look out for you, it should be much better than being posted anywhere else."

Ning Yuchen gave a wry smile. "I hope so!"

’If I’d known things would turn out like this, my plan back then should have been more thorough.’

He knew in his heart that not only was there no real friendship between them, but there probably wasn’t even a semblance of cordiality left.

...

&

According to Ancient Wen Heng’s thinking, he had originally expected his plan to be held up by Governor Liang for some time.

He hadn’t expected the governor to be so fast. He had just submitted it when Governor Liang immediately summoned him, asked a few questions, and then sealed the plan right in front of him, ordering a messenger to deliver it to Shangjing by express horse.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.